Phil's Ultimate Golf Outing
October 5, 2024 • 10:00 AM • Fowler's Mill Golf Course
A Golf Celebration of Phil Wayner
Please join us on October 5, 2024 at Fowler's Mill Golf Course for the second annual Phil's Ultimate Golf Outing and gathering in memory of Phil Wayner.
Last year's outing raised over $20,000! This money was donated directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Dare To Dream Project. We are grateful to everyone who supported this cause. We know this money will help gift other families what we so desperatly wanted for Phil - a cure.
This year all proceeds raised will be used to purchase PlayStation gaming GO Karts from Gamers Outreach. These GO Karts will be donated to the inpatient oncology and hematology floor at Phil's home treating hospital - Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH.
Gamers Outreach is a charity that empowers hospitalized children through video games. Their mission is focused on building a world where play is easily prioritized alongside research and treatment. They believe that the world is better when hospitalized kids can play. As Phil's parents, we experienced this firsthand.
When Phil was diagnosed at the age of 3 he was easily entertained by simple toys, but when Phil relapsed he was older and these toys just didn't engage him like they once did, especially as he spent week after week in a tiny hospital room. Phil was also often in isolation due to low blood counts or different types of infections, meaning he couldn't leave his room. Keeping him busy and distracted, while trying to engage his little mind in age appropriate ways, was a full time job.
Phil was introduced to video games while inpatient at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and we witnessed a huge difference in his mood and behavior. We loved seeing his smile and hearing his laugh as he played. It was something we all could do together and we loved playing with him. Through your participation and your generosity we hope to bring this type of play to our local hospital.
Registration will open in July. We hope to see you there!
For questions regarding registration, sponsorship opportunities, or other inquiries please contact Mike and Katie Wayner at PhilsUltimateGolfOuting@gmail.com.
Golf Outing Details
Check-In/Registration: 8:30 AM
Shotgun Start: 10 AM
Includes 18 holes with cart and lunch
Skins
50/50 and raffle baskets
Dinner
All those who are registered, please look for an e-mail in September with more specific details and information.
Dinner-Only Option
Please join us at approximately 3:30pm for a delicious meal. Tickets are $60/person or $100/couple. Kids are also welcomed at this time! We will have pizza for the kids and are asking for a toy donation with each kid's meal. These toys will be donated to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hopistal as Phil's birthday gift. Phil's birthday is October 30th. All toys must be new and in original packaging. Some of Phil's favorite hospital prizes were Legos, craft kits, puzzles, and card/board games. There is no formal registration for this option.
Please connect with Mike and Katie Wayner at PhilsUltimateGolfOuting@gmail.com to let them know you’d like to join for dinner and payment will be coordinated. Deadline to RSVP for dinner is 9/28.
Phil's Story
Phil was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on 12/27/19 at the age of 3. We remember the attending oncologists saying, “We know what this is. We know how to treat it.” Phil began treatment right away, following a 2.5 year treatment protocol for his leukemia type and risk level. We had hope and our faith in a good and loving God carried us through. With every hospital visit, chemotherapy infusion, medication, procedure in the OR, or “job” he was told to do, Phil smiled, he laughed, and he cooperated (with a little encouragement and bribery of course!) There really was something so special about him.
Phil was scheduled to end treatment in March of 2022. But just two months before, on January 7th, it was confirmed that Phil’s leukemia had returned and he had relapsed. Our hearts were broken and the fear of relapse that lived deep within us became an awful reality. This was a shock to everyone, including Phil’s medical team, and Phil’s prognosis instantly worsened. What happened to knowing how to treat this?
For the next 8 months Phil was hospitalized while he was given a variety of chemotherapy and immunotherapy combinations and endured side effects and complications from those treatments. He spent only 4 weeks at home. Genetic testing done that summer provided Phil’s team with new information about an abnormal amount of mutations on his leukemia. There were also a few found mutations that were known to be treatment resistant. Phil’s medical team continued to work tirelessly to find a cure, but in August all reasonable options were exhausted and we were told there was nothing more that could be done for our sweet, brave boy. Phil was brought home where he enjoyed ten beautiful days with his family before he was called to his eternal home to be with Jesus.
Phil was a bright light to everyone he met. He had a deep belly laugh and the best smile. He loved his brothers, cousins, Lego’s, superheroes and “bad guys", and bacon, but we believe his most favorite thing was the outdoors. You could always find him collecting sticks, pushing his little lawnmower around the yard (and hospital!), or using his leaf blower to keep the yard clean. Phil was beginning to learn and love golf, just like Daddy. While in the hospital, he spent a lot of time playing a game on his iPad called Ultimate Golf. Just a few days before Phil died, he was practicing on the putting green and whacking golf balls at the driving range. We know he would love a golf outing in his honor!
Thank you for being a part of Phil’s beautiful story and thank you for being a part of an even bigger story - a story of making a difference in the lives of all families and children impacted by childhood cancer.
